It has been said of Highlands, that it is clear from the wine list that Frank Stitt is much more interested in drinking wine than he is in showing it off. We take from that, and we hope that you will too, that the wine list at Highlands is chosen based on how well the wine will complement each dish on the menu. This is a very intentional relationship, and one that is nurtured at every turn.
With over 300 labels on our list, we have taken great care to bring to you what we believe are the very best wines from around the world. You'll find California and Provence, Oregon and Austria, Barolo and Burgundy, Muscat and Meritage. Once again, each is chosen for its specific affinity for the dishes on our menu.
Several times a year we host wine dinners featuring the proprietors and winemakers. We have had the pleasure of inviting Bruce Neyers, Josh Jensen (Calera), Jim Clendenen (Au Bon Climat), Joseph Phelps, Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon), the "Gang of Four" from Morgon and Beaujolais, Roberto Stucci of Badia Colotbuono, Bernard Raveneau, Allen Scott, Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac, and Daniel Brunier of Domaine Vieux Télégraph to enjoy their wines with our food. Before the guests arrive, the winemakers often conduct a tasting with the staff which is of immeasurable benefit. Experiencing these first-hand reflections and comments in turn allow us to better assist you in your selections.
We are also fortunate to have one of the most talented wine makers, Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and Il Podere, making our house red wines. The "Southside Red" is a fruity, soft, oh so quaffable wine of barbera and refosco, obscure to many Americans, but it is the everyday selection for the winemakers of the Piedmont region. Au Bon Climat is also the label for our house red, a beautiful and supple pinot noir, marked by finesse.
Our house white wine is a Burgundy from Vezelay, located between Chablis and the Cotes dÕOr. The renowned Raveneaus have expanded their borders and are making Bourgogne blanc in addition to Chablis. Unlike the California chardonnays, this wine is crisp, lively and not at all oaky. We are very pleased to be in partnership with this truly great winemaking family.
Our wines by the glass menu gives our guests an opportunity to become acquainted with less common varietals. We offer this below as a sample of the labels you can expect to find on our list, which is too lengthy to include in its entirety here. Naturally, it is subject to change at any time. If you have a specific wine in mind, please call and we will be happy to assist you with a selection.
Wines by the Glass
Bubbly
Prosecco Nino Franco, Veneto 7.75
Champagne Laurent - Perrier Brut MV, Reims 11.50
Whites
Highlands Cuvée-Bourgogne Blanc Vézelay '01 Burgundy 7.95
Chardonnay MacRostie'02 Carneros 8.50
Sancerre Delaporte '02 Loire 8.25
Aligoté Shooting Star '03 Lake County 6.95
Grüner Veltliner Salomon, Kamptal '02 Austria 7.00
Pinot Grigio Venica & Venica '02 Friuli 8.00
Riesling QBA Rudi West '02 Mosel 6.00
Falanghina Villa Carafa '02 Campania 7.75
Côtes-du-Rhône Château du Trignon '02 Rhône 6.25
Rose
"Gris de Gris" Domaine de Fontsainte '03 Corbierès 6.00
Red
Highlands Pinot Noir bottled for us by Au Bon Climat '01 Anderson Valley 8.25
Bottega Southside Red bottled for us by Au Bon Climat '00 Santa Barbara 5.95
Mourvèdre Terre Rouge '00 Amador 8.00
Vieux Château St. André, St Emilion '01 Bordeaux 10.00
Palazzo della Torre Allegrini '00 Veneto 8.25
Grenache/Syrah Pic St. Loup "Olivette" Clos Marie '01 Languedoc 9.00
Bobal Mesizaje Mustiguillo '02 Spain 6.75
Bandol Domaine Tempier '01 Bandol 12.50
Wines by the glass are 5.5 ounces
Bottled Water
San Pellegrino, Panna
1.75 small 4.75 large
